Title: Low-Speed Aerodynamics – the theoretical aspects

Authors: Allen Plotkin

Addresses: Department of Aerospace Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-1308, USA

Abstract: A narrative on the writing of the theoretical aspects of Low-Speed Aerodynamics is presented. Emphasis is placed on material specifically generated for the text and drawn from the author's educational, teaching and research experience. The close relationship between the classical small-disturbance theories and the modern computational approach to the solution of the incompressible potential flow problem is highlighted. The key subject areas included in the discussion are thin-airfoil theory, exact solutions with complex variables, perturbation methods including matched asymptotic expansions, lifting-line theory and boundary-layer theory, a topic added in the second edition.

Keywords: low speed aerodynamics; thin airfoil theory; lifting line theory; boundary layer theory; incompressible potential flow; airfoils.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2012.046564

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2012 Vol.2 No.1, pp.1 - 21

Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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